Firefighters were called to free a pony trapped in the back of a horsebox in Huddersfield town centre.

The male pony was being transported in a trailer horsebox from Honley to Bradford when the animal reared up and got its front legs stuck over a safety barrier.

The driver pulled over in New North Road and called the fire service.

Crews from West Yorkshire’s technical rescue team attended and a vet was called in to advise.

The pony was sedated and firefighters released the bar. The horse was unhurt and remained in the horsebox before continuing its journey.

The incident happened at just after 12noon today and one carriageway was closed for an hour while the rescue took place. Buses were diverted via Trinity Street and Edgerton Grove Road.

Station manager Mark Hitchcock, head of the technical rescue team, said the rescue was very straightforward.

The animal may have been spooked by traffic or a bump in the road which caused it to rear up and get its front legs trapped over the 5ft high breast bar.

“The horse wasn’t injured or distressed and though there was talk at one point of getting him into another horsebox the first priority was to leave him where he was and that’s what happened,” said Mr Hitchcock.

“It’s not usual to have this sort of thing happen but it’s usually on a country lane not in a town centre.”